Separator



Feb. 23, 1932. M, A OPPY 1,846,897

SEPARATOR Fild June lO, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet l I I [Y Mime Feb. 23, 1932. M, A, Oppy 1,846,897

' sEPARAToR Filed June l0, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Feb. 23, 1932 uNrrag sraras Ef] MAIV-E A. OPPY, OF WELCE EVE-ST2 V1B-GIN1A, ASSIGNOR TO AIR. WASHERS, INC., OF

WELCH, WEST VVIRGNIA, A. CGRUBATON OF WEST VIRGINIA SEPARATOR vpplcation led June 10,

' This invention relates to a separator and has relation more particularly to a device of this kind of a pneumatic type which is especially intended for use in connection with 5 coaland the like.

It is an object of the invention to provide a separator which eliminateswhat is gener ally known as a middlings product.

The inventionalso has for an object-to provide an apparatus of this` kind which operates with substantiallyrno vibration and which discharges clean coal at one end and clean refuseatthe other end.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of this kind which, in addition to a pneumatic means for lifting coal, a revolving drum is provided to also eifect a lifting action upon the coal whereby the action of the pneumatic means is rendered more edective particularly as pertains to the separation of fine slate. l

The Vinvention consists in the details of construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts of my iniproved separator whereby certain important advantages are attained and the device rendered simpler, less expensive and otherwise more convenient and advantageous for use, as will be hereinafter more fully set forth.

The novel features of my invention will hereinafter be definitely claimed.

In order that my invention may be the better understood, I will now proceed to describe the same with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein Figure 1 is a view partly in side elevation and partly in section illustrating a separator constructed in accordance with an embodiment of my invention;

Figure 2 is a view in front elevation ofthe apparatus as illustrated in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a detailed sectional view taken substantially on the line 3-3 of Figure 1.

As disclosed in the'accompanying drawings, D denotes a drum of desired dimensions but gradually decreasing in diameter from its receiving end toward its discharge end and the wall of said drum is perforated. smaller end of the drum D carries relatively narrow annular member 1, the outer face of The 1930. serial no. 460,229.

whichbeing closed by ahead 2. rl`his hea-d 2 at its axial center is provided with an outstanding spindle 3 rotatably engaged with a bearing l carried by a cross member 5 comprised in the supporting structure S. rlhe spindle 3 provides means for supporting the smaller end of the drum D while the larger end of the drum carries an outstanding annular rim 6 which rests from above upon the supporting rollers 7 suitably mounted upon the supporting structure S at opposite sides of the vertical center of the drum.

The closed end 2 of the drum D, carries an annular bevel gear 8 meshing with a pinion 9 fixed uponand suitably supported by a shaft 10. 'lliisshaft 10 is adapted to be driven as desired. but preferably through the medium of a pulley 11 indicated by dotted lines in Figure 1, suitably mounted upon said shaft 10 and in driven connection through the belt 12 with the fan shaft 11i. w

rl.`he peripheral wall of the drum D is provided withva series of inwardly dispos-ed and spirally arranged riffle'flanges 15, preferably three in number, and the channels resulting between these riffle flanges discharge through the openings 16 provided in the annular member 1 and equidistantly spaced circumferentially thereof. The discharge from these openings 16 is controlled by a sleeve 17 snugly mounted upon the member 1 and provided with openings 18 adapted to be brought into desired register with the openings 16. This sleeve 17 is edectively maintained in desired selective adjustment' by a binding screw 19 threaded therethrough the memberv 1.

Extending a desired distance inwardly of the drum D through the larger or receiving end thereof is a feed chute 2O 'leading from a suitable. source of supply. Underlying the member 1 of the drum D is the upper end portion of a downwardly inclined refuse chute 21. Arranged below the larger or receiving end of the drum D is a chute 22 for carrying olf theclean coal.

The supporting structure S below the drum D supports afan casing 23 in which each of the side walls 24 of the supporting structure forms a part. The discharge of the opening for firm Contact with the drum with the coal.

A wall 24 is provided with an air induction` opening 27 for the fan casing 23 and said opening is under controlof the dampers or shutters 28 herein disclosed as of a, sliding type. f

In practice, the druln rotates in a direction opposite to the hand of the riftle flanges so that slate or refuse trapped between the rifiles will be screwed toward the upper or smaller end of the drum D and discharged out through the openings or discharge ports 16. The blast of air creat-ed by the blades 26 beneath the drum passes upwardly into the drum from below through the perforations thereof, said air being of such velocity and pressure in a constant stream to cause the coal to float. The coal will flow downgrade and the expanding or increasing diameter of the drum assures a thinning of the coal bed to afford a more tho-rough cleaning. The rifie flanges 15 are of such depth toassure therebetween a deep enough bed at the discharge ends thereof to prevent losing an undue amount of air through the openings or ports 16 which would otherwise readily blow through a thin bed. The depth of the riille anges l5 is also such to properly trap and convey the separated refuse as it drops and keeps sliding` down to the low point of the drum in each channel formed between the rifile flanges. The separated slate or refuse is carried or slid toward the high and small end of the drum by the riille flanges. As the diameter of the drum reduces, and more es;

pecially in the high end portion, less space is left for the slate vor refuse and hence it will crowd out any coal, even large pieces of coal, that may be mixed with it.- The holes or ports 16 will allow some-coal to pass out therethrough if they always remain the same size. However, this can be taken care of by proper adjustment of the sleeve 17. The speed of rotation of the drum D will-depend upon the amount of slate or refuse delivered within This condition can also be readily compensated for by increasing or decreasing the field. Y

As the openings or ports 16 are closed the accumulation of slate or other refuse within the drum will be correspondingly increased in the small or upper portion of the drum and hence a more sealed bed is formed which will not allow an undue amount of air to blow out through the openings or ports 16. A v

mass of refuse with a small amount of air working therethrough makes all coal, either large or small, to come to the top and roll downgrade to pass olf with the clean coal over the chute 22.

The dampers or shutters 28 are used to regulate the gross supply of air in sufficient amount to cause the coal to flo-at.

From the foregoing description it is thought to be obvious that a separator constructed in accordance `with my invention is particularly well adapted for use by reason of the convenience and facility with which it may be assembled and operated, and it will also` be obvious that my invention is susceptible of some change and modification without departing from the principles and spirit thereof and for this reason I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to thel precise arrangement and formation of the sev,-l eral parts herein shown in carrying out my invention in practice except as hereinafter claimed. i

A separator comprising a rotatable drum, the wall of which being perforated, spiral rifile flanges carried by the peripheral wall of the drum and extending inwardly thereof, the wall of the drum having discharge openings in communication with the spaces between the rifile flanges at the discharge ends thereof, means Afor rotating the drum, said drum being tapered from one end toward the other, the discharge openings being in the" smaller end portion of the drum, and means for directing a blast of air from below into the drum from substantially one end of the drum to the other. Y

ln testimony whereof I hereunto aix my signature.

MAIVE A. jOPPY. p

l 13oA 

